Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Last week we featured the first part of the very interesting History of the Rugby World Cup Sevens video. This week we’re featuring part 2 in this fascinating insight into how the game of Sevens developed into what it is today.

We see how in 1976 a group of businessmen looked to put a rugby tournament together in Hong Kong. From the humble beginnings of a simple idea, the Hong Kong Sevens grew into a world renown party event, with some amazing matches having taken place there over the years.

Twenty of so years ago, the game of rugby was very different to how it is today. The demands on the players in terms of their schedule was less, so the top players in the world game could compete at the Sevens tournaments.

David Campese was one who thrived in the openness of the shortened version of the game, and then came along a young Fijian whose name will forever by synonymous with Sevens.

Waisele Serevi hit the Sevens stage with bang on the nineties. His balanced stepping, incredible handling, and raw confidence made him one of the most exciting rugby players to grace the game.

He played his part in the classic Tomasi Cama try of the 1990 final, and only recently retired from the game having led his country so proudly for many years.

In 1993 we saw the inaugural Rugby World Cup Sevens, as the game returned to its roots in Scotland, with Edinburgh being the host city. England and Australia met in a gripping final in which the English came out tops 21-17, becoming the first team to lift the Melrose Cup.

There were some brilliant tries scored, most notably from flyer Andrew Harriman as he rounded David Campese on the outside. Campo got his own back though, scoring a classy chip and chase try in the second half.